2024 MLB Playoffs

[HalfSmokes]

It doesn't epitomize anything.    That just seem a wild over-reaction to the Yankees getting into their first world series in 15 years.

These are the payroll ranks of the champion vs the runner up for the last 10 season.

2024 2 v 5
2023 4/21
2022 4/8
2021 4/10
2020 1/28
2019 7/8
2018 1/3
2017 17/3
2016 5/18
2015 13/17

This is the dispersion of teams in the finals vs the 3 salary capped leagues.

MLB
14 different teams in the World Series, 8 different winners in 9 years.

NHL
13 different teams in the finals, 5 different winners.  8 different winners in 10 years.

NBA
10 different teams in the finals.  7 different winners in 10 years.   The same matchup 4 years in a row.

NFL
11 different teams in the finals.   6 different winners in 10 years.

It looks like most years, a top 5 payroll team will have a 1 in 5 chance of being in the World Series. Meanwhile, 1 bottom 5 appearance since 2015 and only 2 teams in the bottom third. The numbers aren't saying what you claim they are. That's an insane advantage for rich teams

[nfotiu]

It looks like most years, a top 5 payroll team will have a 1 in 5 chance of being in the World Series. Meanwhile, 1 bottom 5 appearance since 2015 and only 2 teams in the bottom third. The numbers aren't saying what you claim they are. That's an insane advantage for rich teams

What did I claim?

I don't know that I necessarily have a problem with some teams spending money winning more often to some degree.   I also think a full parity league can be boring.   I'm ok with baseball compared to the other sports.   Spending the most certainly doesn't guarantee a championship or even making the playoffs.   A well managed team that spends up to the lux tax cap can be successful for a good stretch, and win it all like the Nats did.  A Marlins team that doesn't have any fans buying tickets, or watching on TV  or have an owner interested in spending money to be competitive should linger at the bottom of the standing.

[HalfSmokes]

What did I claim?

I don't know that I necessarily have a problem with some teams spending money winning more often to some degree.   I also think a full parity league can be boring.   I'm ok with baseball compared to the other sports.   Spending the most certainly doesn't guarantee a championship or even making the playoffs.   A well managed team that spends up to the lux tax cap can be successful for a good stretch, and win it all like the Nats did.  A Marlins team that doesn't have any fans buying tickets, or watching on TV  or have an owner interested in spending money to be competitive should linger at the bottom of the standing.

"It doesn't epitomize anything." It does. The chances of making the playoffs are directly related to the amount of payroll and those chances increase at every level. When a third of the league has no chance on opening day year in and year out, the league is broken. If you're a small or mid market fan, there isn't much hope at all. Even a team like the Orioles can have a great farm system that leads to a great roster that flames out early every year because ownership won't spend.

[OfftheBat]

We traded Treinen for Doolittle. Got a WS out of it.

I stand corrected, I had forgotten about that trade.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I'm not sure what you are saying here.

The Opening Day Payroll chart?   

9th,10th,14th,2nd,4th,1st were the payroll rankings of the winners since 2018.

looking at your quote, not the link. I assumed the winner was first listed.

[Natsinpwc]

The Dodgers were 14th in payroll when they won in 2020?

 The Astros different positions show you need to pay to stay competitive year after year. Or you end up like KC after 2015. Or the Nats after 2019. Have to spend to stay competitive in the long run. You might be able to sneak in to World Series like AZ did.  But you’re not going to stay up there with a low payroll.

You’ll see this with Cleveland too. Unless they start spending they won’t be able to keep it up.

Edit:  Nevermind first comment.  You were including 2024.

[English Natsie]

An entertaining read...

https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-postseason-oddities-quirks-trivia

[imref]

Yankees in 7.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Pulling for the Dodgers. Soto is a fav, but I like Mookie a ton and like most of the rest of the lineup.

[aspenbubba]

Reluctantly the Yankees in 6. Though I really like the Dodgers versus the evil empire. Dodgers don't have the starting pitching .

[Slateman]

freak, I need some baseball

[Natsinpwc]

I’ll say Dodgers in 6. Rooting for that asteroid to hit the earth so we don’t have to watch.

[Senatorswin]

Pulling for the Dodgers. Soto is a fav, but I like Mookie a ton and like most of the rest of the lineup.

Was there ever an explanation why the Sox traded Mookie.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Was there ever an explanation why the Sox traded Mookie.

wouldn't sign for what they offered. Bloom was inder orders to cut payroll. They didn't sign Xander, Eovaldi, dealt Sale ... bigger exception was signing Devers.

[Senatorswin]

wouldn't sign for what they offered. Bloom was inder orders to cut payroll. They didn't sign Xander, Eovaldi, dealt Sale ... bigger exception was signing Devers.

Okay thanks. I think I remember they had one of those pre-season fan gatherings at Fenway last year and the fans were booing the Sox stinginess. They are one of the top revenue teams in MLB. They are 4th in revenue and 12th in salary.

[HalfSmokes]

wouldn't sign for what they offered. Bloom was inder orders to cut payroll. They didn't sign Xander, Eovaldi, dealt Sale ... bigger exception was signing Devers.

They low balled him to make him the bad guy when he turned it down. The Red Sox aren’t the same team they were a decade ago, now they’re cheap and happy to take in the NESN money while not competing

[JCA-CrystalCity]

They low balled him to make him the bad guy when he turned it down. The Red Sox aren’t the same team they were a decade ago, now they’re cheap and happy to take in the NESN money while not competing

It's funny: even in their prime, they used the media to sully anyone when they left town. Francona got it bad, among others. It often worked, but Mookie was the last straw. That really turned media and the fans against ownership. Might have been different had Downs, Verdugo, and Wong turned into Gore, Wood, and Abrams (and had they not turned down Brusdar Graterol), but Mookie was the one who had to be signed and they misread it. He's never been the top player in baseball, but he's been top 3 for his entire career and is a HoF lock.

[Natsinpwc]

It's funny: even in their prime, they used the media to sully anyone when they left town. Francona got it bad, among others. It often worked, but Mookie was the last straw. That really turned media and the fans against ownership. Might have been different had Downs, Verdugo, and Wong turned into Gore, Wood, and Abrams (and had they not turned down Brusdar Graterol), but Mookie was the one who had to be signed and they misread it. He's never been the top player in baseball, but he's been top 3 for his entire career and is a HoF lock.

They got the fans a few titles. And revenue is still high. No one is staying away. Seems genius to me to make more money.

[imref]

i saw that the Yankees and Dodgers are the only two teams in the MLB without mascots. So obviously, Screech has to go.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

i saw that the Yankees and Dodgers are the only two teams in the MLB without mascots. So obviously, Screech has to go.

and they have one title between them from 2009 to 2023.

What do the Rangers have? Some dude on a horse with sunglasses, a hat and an shotgun?

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Jack Nicholson and Rudy Giuliani don't count?

i saw that the Yankees and Dodgers are the only two teams in the MLB without mascots. So obviously, Screech has to go.

[Natsinpwc]

Jack Nicholson and Rudy Giuliani don't count?

Mary Hart?

[HalfSmokes]

Can Rudy afford tickets anymore?

[OfftheBat]

Can Rudy afford tickets anymore?

I don't think so, I heard they seized an autographed Joe DiMaggio jersey from him lol.

[varoadking]

Nice interview with Ohtani-san...quite the genuine fella...